18 Oct Robert W G Hunt Poster Awards 2019
Robert W G Hunt Poster Awards 2019 
Local colour and patterns (essence of place)
Glenn McArthur
OCAD University, Toronto, Canada
Presented at the AIC2019, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abstract
This is a pedagogical project for first-year OCAD University design students with the objective of exposing them to the concept that every geographic location around the world is unique and that specific colours and forms may be exclusive to a particular site. These unique features can be researched, studied, analysed and then become a source of inspiration that can be applied to a contemporary design in order to capture the spirit and essence of that locale. This three-week project had three phases. First, students selected a geographic location, this could have been a location that they have personally visited and experienced or they could have researched it online. They were instructed to download at least four images of the site (from different times of day or seasons) from the internet or to use their own images. Next, they had to uploaded their images to Color Explore or another similar colour identification website (http://www.colorexplorer.com/imageimport.aspx) and extracted the colour information using the colour palette option. For the second phase, students had to create a composition that was atmospheric or abstract in nature using that colour palette (various Photoshop filters were suggested as a good starting point). Additional research was conducted to find forms or themes that could be used for a decorative pattern from the local environment (flora, fauna, animals or built forms, etc.) of their geographic selection and transform it into a contemporary design. A written explanation of their choices, process and citing image sources was required. The final project format consisted of three pages, a one-page research document, a composition that combined their abstract image and pattern and then an image of their design applied to either a 2D or 3D object or surface.
The learning outcomes of this project was to encourage students to think about local colour and patterns from specific geographic and cultural locations and how they may be used in contemporary design, evoking and celebrating the essence of a place.
A case study on environmental landscape color harmony via the Zhengbin Fishing Port color scheme
Yen-Ching Tseng*, Yuh-Chang Wei*, Monica Kuo, Ya-Ping Kuo, Wen-Guey Kuo
Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
Presented at the AIC2019, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abstract
The concepts of environmental landscape color harmony are highly dependent on nurture and culture. The purpose of the study is to analyze the significance of environmental landscape color harmony via the Zhengbin Fishing Port Color Scheme. The color scheme is, based on Jean-Philippe Lenclos’s methodology of color geography, to adopt NCS environmental color survey tool for the regional local colors investigation and to develop a color planning strategy. The objective of color planning strategy is to maintain the balance between the color imagery of harbor city and Zhengbin Fishing Port area, to achieve “colorful diversity”, and to develop a proper color scheme to enhance regional characteristics and cultural style of the Zhengbin Fishing Port.
A multi-color combinations façade of the seafront architecture complex is the target color scheme. A scientific NCS environmental color survey conducted to collect regional colors information and to establish an environmental color database. The overall environmental landscape color of the ZhengBin Fishing Port region is mainly blue and green, with yellow and brown dotted. The measurements of brightness and chroma distributed from 05~70 and 10~70 accordingly. The domain color hue ranged from R~B90G with medium to low chroma and brightness. The embellishment chroma distributed from G10Y~Y90R with medium to high brightness. The color appearance of the architecture complex’s façade is common in gray and brown with an overall brightness distribution ranged from 05~60 (medium to high) and an overall chroma distribution ranged from 00~50 (middle to low). The perceived color imagery of the ZhengBin Fishing Port’s landscape tended toward a turbid tone (flat and obscure).
A subjective environmental color analysis evaluated by the color planner helped to plan a color scheme. Based on the principleof color harmony, the color planner designed a multi-color combinations scheme by selecting domain colors and increasing color contrast in compliance with proper lightness, chroma, environment context, and color composition to fulfill the objective. The overall performance of the color scheme perceived quite harmonious with environmental landscape colors. Indeed, the color project not only enhanced the Zhengbin Fishing Port’s regional characteristics and cultural style successfully, but also became a visual landmark as well.
Chromatic applications in interior spaces for the elderly in the P. Borja Geriatric Center of the Fontilles Foundation
Ana Torres-Barchino*, Juan Serra-Lluch, Anna Delcampo-Carda
Universitat Politècnica de València, Grupode Investigación del Color, Instituto de Restauración del Patrimonio, Valencia,Spain
Presented at the AIC2019, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abstract
The space in architecture is one of the most important concepts throughout the history of architecture. There are many characteristics that define the three-dimensional aspects of architectural space in search of a harmony that provides a more livable place.
This communication deals with a particular chromatic study, that is carried out in three interior spaces of the P. Borja Geriatric Center of Fontilles Foundation, in Alicante. This geriatric is specialized in the care of elderly people with different degrees of physical or psychic dependence. The study is based on the research project carried out by the Research Color Group of the UPV, that is funded by the Ministry of Industry and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain. The aim of the study is to establish parameters and chromatic modifications of interior spaces of the public centers of the Valencian Community, where dependent elderly people live and stay.
The facilities of the P. Borja Geriatric Center present certain architectural features that is subject to be studied because it is a building located in a particular natural setting and, therefore, its architectural features are different from the centers that are locatedt in an urban area. This foundation was created at the beginning of the 20th century in order to help the most vulnerable people, as well as offer and carry out various research projects. That is why this center is a benchmark of social imprinting where various studies on health and wellbeing are carried out.
In this context, firstly, the study focuses on the color analysis of the rooms of this center that was applied in its beginnings. Secondly, the study offers the development of new chromatic proposals that aims to improve the built environment of the center. The several spaces that are analyzed in this study are, nowadays, the most used by residents in their daily lives: a multipurpose room where daily activities are carried out in groups, a corridor and its routs to the different rooms, and a standard bedroom. The chromatic proposals offered in this studio for these spaces have been made by RV, offering the resident the possibility to visualize and select different chromatic compositions by using suggestive and harmonic color combinations. These color combinations proposed were studied as a result of a previous survey. The survey provide objective answers according to the visual stimuli of the residents. Finally, the chromatic combinations that were chosen by the residents were taken into account, becoming the most suitable proposals to be included in each room of the center. The natural lighting, the orientation of the rooms and their dimensions, were among other spatial features, the basic factors to define the set of chromatic interventions.
For this, the methodology and resources that have been applied for this study will be shown: that is, the surveys, the results, and a screening of the process carried out in the research project where the response of the visual stimuli of the residents will be observed. As a consequence, the chromatic proposals presented for these spaces have been combined in such a way that they can offer a more harmonic and appropriate perception according to the place where they live and coexist.